Biotourism

Tourism is one of the most rapidly developing industries world-wide and offers a clear illustration of why the integration of the environment and development makes sense. However, it exerts dramatic pressures on natural and cultural resources and therefore needs to be managed in a way that can substantially relieve some of these pressures.

Bio-tourism, as promoted by B.I.O. since 1985, encourages environmental and cultural appreciation in tourism, as well as an international exchange of experiences on the basis of environmental preservation. It focuses on informed travel choices and supports local economies. In bio-tourism, travellers come into intimate contact with the environment and culture of the area being visited in a manner that is not destructive, but constructive. Cultural diversity, tradition, history and local tradition are the cornerstones of bio-tourism. As environmental solutions are long-term goals, travellers are also encouraged to fully claim their role in preserving the natural and cultural assets of their destinations for the future welfare and shared prosperity of the region and the world.

For B.I.O., bio-tourism is not just a conventional travel plan. It is a way for all peoples of the world to explore humanitys natural and cultural heritage, and to achieve cooperation and mutual understanding. For her pioneering contribution to the promotion of tourism as a vehicle for peace, the B.I.O. President received the Peace through Tourism Award by the World Association of Travel Agencies (WATA) in 1998. A comprehensive volume on Bio-Tourism is published in Bio-Syllabus for European Environmental Education, an 880-page textbook available in print and electronically (CD-Rom). Based on this pioneering material is B.I.O.s e-learning course on Environmental Tourism, which will soon be available online as part of our e-learning programme in environmental education.

References

EUROPEAN PROJECT

E-LEARNING

http://web.archive.org/web/20150228070224/http://elearning.cbc-biotourism.eu:80/ An e-learning platform developed for the project Innovative practices in Biotourism implemented in the framework of the “Greece – Albania IPA Cross-Border Programme 2007-2013.” 3 courses available in 3 languages Announcement

An e-learning course on Bio -Tourism has been developped and is being offered online through our website

Events

International conference for the EU project on “Innovative Practices in Biotourism – New Dimensions for Development in Prespa & Korçë,” Poster (GR)(EN) Program (GR)(EN)Korçë Speech, Press Release (GR), (EN)

The Land of Fthiotis – Biotourism and Development. B.I.O. implements EU Leader program promoting comparative advantages in Central Greece. Poster

“Innovative Practices in Biotourism” implemented in the framework of the Greece–Albania IPA Cross-Border Programme 2007-2013. Local communities in Lake Prespa and Korca benefit from the ΙΡΑ Cross-border Programme. Press Release: English,Greek

Main speaker on “Aviation and Environmental Strategies” at a conference sponsored by iForce Communications S.A. in Athens, Greece Press Release, Programme

Main speaker on “Biopolitics – Biotourism: Building a Green Society” at a conference organised by the Hellenic Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Athens, Greece Programme, Photo, Abstract, Speech

Publications: Biopolicy: Biotourism – Building a Green Society at the Hellenic Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Athens

Publications: Aviation and Environmental Strategies at the 5th yearly conference on Aviation – Present and Future by iForce Communications, Athens

2008

Keynote speech at the Greek Institute for Aviation on “Biopolicy-A Green Strategy for Aviation”. Programme

2005

An e-learning course on Environmental Tourism has been developed and is currently being offered online through the B.I.O. website

Guest of honour at the International Symposium on Functioning of Coastal Ecosystems in Various Geographical Regions, organised by the Institute of Oceanography of Gdansk University, Poland

About Us

The Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.) was founded in 1985, out of the urgent need to raise awareness of current environmental problems, and to accelerate the implementation of new and more effective approaches to safeguarding the earth for the generations to come.